God Thought 2/2/23

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.
1 Corinthians 15:20-24

When Paul describes Jesus’ resurrection from the dead as the ‘first fruits’, he is using terminology rich in significance for the Jewish people.  

In the Old Testament the first fruits of every harvest were offered to God, symbolizing and consecrating the entire harvest to follow. In the same way, says Paul, Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is a foretaste of our own resurrection.  

Sadly, We are certain of the painful reality of death because of our experience of this world. But We can also be certain of the joyful reality of resurrection because of our experience of Jesus Christ.


In this passage Paul is also reminding us once again of the end of the story. That this world, all pain and suffering, all powers and authorities, all sickness, disease, and death, all the things which seem so final and all-consuming right now, will one day be made new at the return of Christ.

As His follower, we know the end of the story, and so no matter how powerful these forces feel in our present, we can look to Christ and feel complete assurance about our future.


Prayer
Jesus, we thank You that in You death is swallowed up in victory. We surrender our future once again to the glorious promise of resurrection and eternity with You. We look to You, the first fruits, and trust in the harvest yet to come. In Christ's Name we pray,
Amen

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